Our Shopping Editor Sticks to a $50 Weekly Grocery Budget—Here's How She Gets It Done

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If you’re grocery shopping in America, you probably know how difficult it is to stay on a budget right now. Food prices rose more than 10 percent year-over-year per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Staples like eggs, butter, and lettuce cost at least 25 percent more than they did in 2021, according to the Labor Department. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to access quality food for less.

Even though I’m a shopping editor, it took me time to come up with a system to save more on essentials. And I’m happy to report that I now rarely exceed my weekly $50 budget all with help from Walmart’s handy app. 

The mega-retailer helps me find healthy food choices online without sacrificing my financial well-being, since I’m able to compare prices before hitting ‘add to cart.’ Walmart has everything I need to keep my fridge and pantry stocked for less, from frozen veggies to garbanzo beans. Here’s how I stick to a budget every time I shop there.

Make a Well-Rounded List

It pretty much goes without saying, but the first step to avoid overspending is to make a grocery list. To get started, consider what meals you’d like to prepare for the week, and remember to include staple ingredients that you can turn to time and time again. In order to stick to a budget, focus on ways to incorporate the latter into more recipes. 

Think about which foods you like to eat repeatedly throughout the week and what items can be eaten on their own or incorporated into a variety of meals. For example, I always buy a bag of mixed greens that I can use for a side salad or to add extra nutrients in a sandwich. Pro tip: Buy staples you won’t get sick of, such as your favorite fruit, bread, or rice all while tracking your spending in the Walmart app. 

A well-rounded list will consist of a healthy mix of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and protein. I don’t eat much meat, so I buy legumes and nuts to incorporate more protein in my diet. If something is sold out one week, I can use the app to find a swap (which sometimes is cheaper than my original pick). Here is my go-to grocery list. 

• Marketside Organic Bananas, $1.73
• Great Value Frozen Whole Berry Medley, $3.98 
• Great Value Vanilla Nonfat Yogurt, $2.36
• Great Value Multi-Grain Bread, $2.48
• Prima Deli Hard Salami, Half Pound, $5.00
• Great Value Sliced Sharp Cheddar, $2.22
• Great Value Mountain Trail Mix, $1.88
• Market Value Caesar Salad Kit, $3.98
• Great Value Jasmine Rice, $2.46
• Great Value Chickpeas Garbanzos, $1.38
• Great Value Frozen Broccoli Florets, $0.98
• Sam’s Choice Italia Enriched Spaghetti, $2.70
• Classico Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce, $2.48
• Rotisserie Chicken, Lemon Pepper, $6.97

The total comes to $40.60 and $43.55 after my home state’s 7.25 percent sales tax. Prices can vary by region, so I can use the app to get a quick understanding of what my actual total price will be. If I end up over budget one week, I can save an item for later, and then simply click ‘move to cart’ to add it to the list for next week.

After a free trial, I committed to the Walmart Plus membership because I can access helpful services like its scan and go feature, which allows me to scan items as I shop and check out on Walmart’s mobile app. As an added bonus, the app saves my previous orders, and makes it easy to reorder. It helps me cut down on the time it takes to shop — and gives me back more time to cook. 

Shop Smarter

One important tip that’s helped me save a lot of money is to take advantage of my freezer and pantry space. The longer the food will last, the better, plus when I shop through Walmart’s app, I can then take that extra savings and budget it towards my next week’s shopping list. 

I know that I’ll never get through a fresh pack of blackberries or broccoli before they expire, which is why I always purchase a frozen berry medley and broccoli florets. Plus, most frozen vegetables and fruit contain more nutrients than fresh produce—that’s a win-win situation. 

If you can, buy fresh food in small amounts to avoid waste. I’ll buy half a pound of salami and sharp cheddar, which usually cost less and have a longer shelf life than packaged deli meats and cheeses.

Don’t Overlook Walmart Exclusive Brands 

Walmart’s exclusive food brands have affordable pantry and frozen options that I’ll never grow tired of. Great Values’ Mountain Trail Mix is my go-to snack to munch while on-the-go or during the work day. It costs less than similar mixes and tastes just as great. You’ll never know what budget-friendly foods you’ll find until you try them, so browse Walmart’s brands to explore the possibilities — you might be surprised by how much you can save weekly if you use the app’s price comparison option.